Love’s Travel Stop coming to Belmont County | News, Sports, Jobs

BELMONT – Construction has begun on a Love’s Travel Stop and Country Store at Exit 208 on Interstate 70.

The station, located across Ohio 149 from an existing pilot station on the site of the former Crooked Creek Golf Course, is being built by Harris United Construction of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“We are hoping for 180 days. We have to move a lot of earth and blast rocks, but we hope to be able to open before Christmas,” Said Harris United General Superintendent Bill Campbell.

Although Harris United only recently began construction on the site, Campbell is confident that construction of the station’s foundation and structure can begin in late August.

“It will be a little wild here for a while, but when it’s all over, Love’s will make an unparalleled contribution to the communities,” said Campbell.

Local executives are working with the new developer.

“From the county’s perspective, we try to be as accommodating as possible on every project and make sure we can help alleviate any issues that may arise with the project,” Said JP Dutton, Belmont County Commissioner.

Dutton added that Love’s is working closely with the Belmont County Sanitary Sewer District regarding the project’s wastewater needs.

“We recently submitted a proposal for a project that not only addresses their project, but also takes into account future development from Exit 208 in Morristown back east to our county wastewater treatment plant on Hammond Road, near the Belmont County Jail,” added Dutton. “The entire stretch of US 40 from State Route 331 to Exit 208 will be able to meet future water and wastewater needs thanks to the project we are currently embarking on.”

The project, which was recently put out to bid, is to improve the sewer line from the Morristown area back to the wastewater treatment plant. The contractor that won the bid is Ohio-West Virginia Excavating, based in Shadyside.

After construction at Love’s Travel Stop is complete, Harris United and the Ohio Department of Transportation will work together to implement an I-70/Ohio 149 interchange improvement project. This work is scheduled to begin in 2026 and last at least two years, widening Ohio 149 and replacing existing bridges on I-70.

“We are still in the early stages of this project, so we don’t have too many details yet, but we are actively working on it. We will have more information within the next six to eight months,” Lauren Borell, spokesperson for ODOT District 11, said:

Jackee Pugh, executive director of the Belmont County Tourism Council, is excited about the opening of Love’s Travel Stop in the area.

“Any time we can offer travelers more conveniences to get off the interstate when they pass through Belmont County, it’s better!” said Pugh. “Tourists who spend money at gas stations contribute to our local economy. This spending can create a positive ripple effect that benefits other local businesses. Hopefully they’ll stop to fill up or buy snacks and check out the other nearby attractions, such as Barkcamp State Park, the Tri-State Military Veterans Museum or Epworth Park, to name a few.”

In addition to offering gasoline and diesel, the new facility will reportedly also house a Hardee’s restaurant and a Godfather’s Pizza.

According to its website, Love’s Travel Stops has a network of 644 Love’s locations in 42 states. The company was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City. The website says the company remains family owned and operated and employs more than 40,000 people.